Around Rim Country/Community Almanac

Rim Country residents of all ages are uniting their voices for the annual Payson Choral Society Christmas Concert this weekend. The concert will be presented at the Payson High School Auditorium Saturday, Dec. 13, with performances at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $3 for students ages 12 to 18, and free for children ages 11 and under. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Choral Society members, at the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Payson Roundup, at the library and at the door. The high school is located at the southeast corner of McLane and Longhorn.

Wine and Cheese Party tonight

The Soroptimist Annual Holiday Wine and Cheese Party will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12 at the Rim Country Museum, 700 S. Green Valley Parkway.

There will be lots of delicious food, a variety of wines and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. The cost is $15 per person. There will be raffles and silent auction items, as well.

Money from the Radiothon, held in October, will be presented to Time Out, Payson Community Kids and Arizonans for Children.

PHS Drama students present one-act plays

Longhorn Theatre will present senior-directed plays through Dec. 13. Performances will be at 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Studio Theatre behind the Payson High School auditorium on West Longhorn Road. Tickets at the door are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students.

Children’s Nativity Play

All are welcome to attend the Nativity Play performed by the St. Philip the Apostle Religious Education students at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12 at St. Philip Catholic Church, 511 S. St. Phillips Street. Admission is free.

Brush drop-offs

The Regional Payson Area Project for a Fire Wise Rim Country (RPAP) will be staffing free brush drop-off points at the following locations, weather permitting:

Saturday, Dec. 13, the Blattner Pit will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Blattner Pit is located at Milepost 259.7 on Highway 260, east of Payson.

Sunday, Dec. 14, the Pine Pit will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pine Pit is located .7 of a mile east of Highway 87 on Control Road, south of Pine.

Drop-off locations will accept brush, leaves, pine needles, trimmings, and other vegetative materials only. Use by commercial haulers is prohibited.

Masons Clothe-A-Child program is Saturday

On Saturday, Dec. 13, the 8th Annual Clothe-A-Child Program for K-5 students of five Rim Country grade schools will be held at the Payson Masonic Lodge #70, 200 E. Rancho Road.

Breakfast will be from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., shopping at Walmart is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and Santa’s visit will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Join Parks and Recreation hiking instructors for a Payson Area Trails System (PATS) group-led hike on the Peach Orchard and Event Center trails starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13.

Participants will meet at the Parks and Recreation office in Green Valley Park prior to heading to the trail, and a shuttle service will be available to get hikers back to the Event Center at the end of the hike. The hike is approximately four miles long and is moderately difficult, with some loose rocks and hills.

This is a free event to the public. Pre-registration is recommended, but participants can also register the day of the event. Call (928) 474-5242, ext. 358 for more information or visit www.paysonparks.com.

Youth group benefit

There will be a youth group fund-raiser at Calvary Chapel, 1103 N. Beeline Highway, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 20.

The group will accept donations for gift wrapping services and offer cookies and hot chocolate for sale.

Children present Christmas program

The Payson Children’s Theater Choral Group directed by Janice Weldon will be performing “The Christmas Story” at The Seventh Day Adventist Church, 700 E. Wade Lane at 10:50 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 and at Ponderosa Baptist Church, 1800 N. Beeline Road at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14. The community is welcome to attend as the children present a musical representation of the birth of Christ.

The group of 28 children from first through fifth grade has performed several programs since its formation in August of last year. Most recently they participated in the Payson Community Veteran’s Day Program and will be part of the “The Spirit of Christmas” community Christmas pageant.

Bring the family to see Santa and his elves getting ready for the holidays in their workshop at Green Valley Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13. There is no admission.

After visiting Santa, stick around to enjoy a regatta of lighted boats on the big lake at the park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Native American Day

The public is invited to the second annual Native American Day celebration at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at The Potters House Church, 616 S. Beeline Hwy. (rear upstairs unit).

Native American Pastor Derrick Clauschee from Tuba City will be the special guest preacher. His topic is “Let the Pow Wow begin”.

A Friendship Lunch with Indian Fry Bread and Navajo Tacos will be served at 11:45 a.m.

Have a jazzy holiday

Pete Pancrazi, award-winning jazz guitarist and vocalist, will be returning to Payson to perform in a “Have a Jazzy Holiday” celebration at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main Street at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14.

While Pancrazi is an outstanding solo performer, he is adding other professional musicians, which promises to be an enjoyable afternoon of music. Steven Von Wald is expected join him on saxophone, Vic Kottner will be on bass, and Gerry Reynolds will play drums.

The Payson Friends of Jazz and the Community Presbyterian Church sponsor the event. There is a $5 donation at the door.

To receive information or to reserve seats, contact Gerry Reynolds at gerryr@cox.net, or leave a message at (602) 619-3355.

More information about Pete Pancrazi may also be found at www.petepancrazi.com.

Longhorn Village dedication, open house

The public is invited to the dedication ceremony and open house of Payson Area Habitat for Humanity’s Longhorn Village at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at 801 W. Longhorn Road.

There will be tours of the latest homes constructed by PAHH volunteers and participant families, a ceremony to dedicate the homes, and a “Pounding Party.” To participate in the party, bring a housewarming gift such as flour, sugar, spices, household cleansers, paper towels and toiletries.

For more information, call (928) 474-0330.

Candlelight walk

Rim Country Compassionate Friends will have a Candlelight Memorial Walk around the lake at Green Valley Park in remembrance of all children who have died. Bring a candle and dress warmly. The walk is from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14.

Be a ‘Christmas Angel’ for those in need

Local businesses have set up, decorated and topped Christmas angel trees with children’s and seniors’ wishes this holiday. Residents “adopt” an angel by taking their tag and buying the requested items and returning it to the place of adoption.

Christmas Angel Trees

• First State Bank, 254 E. Highway 260 at the east end of the Bashas’ Shopping Center, has set up a senior angel tree. All gifts will be hand-delivered to Payson seniors in need and without families this holiday season. Please return gifts to the Senior Tree by Dec. 15.

• National Bank of Arizona, 804 S. Beeline Highway, has an angel tree filled with wishes from children to teens. All of the children are from low-income families. The bank also has a drop box set up for the Payson Humane Society. Drop off cash donations, gift cards and pet supplies in the box. Donations are due by Dec. 22.

• Arizona State Credit Union, 104 E. Highway 260 (next to Taco Bell), has a children’s angel tree set up in their lobby. It is not mandatory to buy everything on the wish list, just as much as you can afford. Please return gifts by Dec. 22.

Fudge and salsa make great gifts

Just in time for the holidays, a huge selection of The Salsa King’s award-winning salsa and America’s best fudge will be available Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 15 and 16 at the Payson Regional Medical Center lobby. Monday shopping is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday the hours are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cash, credit and debit cards, and PRMC payroll deduction will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the many programs and scholarships available to our community through Mogollon Health Alliance.

For more information, call (928) 472-2588.

Gallery offers free demonstrations

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Artists of the Rim Fine Art Gallery, 408 W. Main St., will offer demonstrations showing how the artists create their work.

On that day, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the first artist to be featured will be renowned Western painter Donn Morris.

Morris utilizes drawings, oils, acrylics and watercolors to create his beautiful pieces of art. “Until I retired, I was a teacher who painted; now I am a painter who teaches. I hope that my work captures my interest in people, their place, their hopes, their memories, their work, their play and their lives,” Morris said.

The Gallery is planning a different demonstration on the second Wednesday of each month.

Burritos and fry bread on sale Dec. 19-20

The Rim Valley Church of God, 208 S. McLane Road, will have a fund-raiser Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19 and 20. In time for your Christmas dinner, they will sell burritos and Indian fry bread by Chema’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Delivery of large orders will be available to the Payson area for an additional charge.

To place your order, please call Jan Buttram at 474-5449.

The church is located to the west of Payson High School.

Lip Sync contestants wanted for Feb. 21 event

A Lip Sync Contest will be held Feb. 21 in the Payson High School Auditorium. The contest is open to all high school students from Payson and surrounding communities, including home-schooled students.

Prizes will be gift cards totaling $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place. Contest rules are available at Payson High School (Drama Club, STUGO, Main Office), Payson Center for Success, Payson Community Christian School and Payson Education Center.

The evening will also include a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction featuring a wide variety of items for all ages. Donations of auctions items or scholarship donations will be welcomed.

The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, Payson High School Drama Club, Rim Country Optimists and Rotary Club. All proceeds will be used to provide scholarships for continuing education. For more information, call Joan Young at 472-2264.

Gingerbread house construction party

The Crossroads Foursquare Church is holding a special event for all ages — a gingerbread house construction party.

Families, friends, and individuals are invited to come decorate a full-sized gingerbread house with all kinds of fun, edible goodies at the church, 114 E. Cedar Lane from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.

All supplies are provided for just $10 per house. Refreshments will be served, too.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Call (928) 474-2602 for details and to reserve your space.

Pet-a-Palooza seeks vendors to benefit PHS

Safeway will host Payson Pet-a-Palooza on Jan 24. This is a great opportunity to promote your pet related products or services (no breeders please).

Booths require a $25-$40 donation to the Payson Humane Society. Donations of pet related items, event sponsors and pet professionals willing to provide demonstrations or question and answer clinics throughout the day are also needed.

Please call Lynne (928) 472-4661 or e-mail lynodonne@netzero.com.

Volunteer opportunities

Meals on Wheels

The Payson Senior Center, 514 W. Main St., needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors. Applicants must be physically capable of getting in and out of a vehicle frequently and climbing stairs if necessary. Senior Center staff drive the delivery vehicles, but volunteers are needed to carry the meals to recipients. Volunteers are asked to work three to four hours at least one morning each week, usually between 8 a.m. and noon. The Senior Center prepares and delivers 135 Meals on Wheels each weekday. For more information, call (928) 474-4876 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Time Out Thrift Shop

Time Out Thrift Shop needs two shop volunteers. Must be drug- and alcohol-free. Please call (928) 474-3989 or come to the shop at 500 S. Beeline Highway, across from Wendy’s. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Time Out, Inc.

Tax-Aide program

Payson AARP Tax-Aide needs volunteers for computer preparation of Form(s) 1040 for tax year 2008. Requirements are: knowledge of preparing a tax return and using a computer, commitment of four hours per week from Feb. 1 through April 15, and attendance at a training class for one week starting Jan. 19 on both Federal and State tax returns. Call (928) 472-6229 for more information.